top of page
  • Writer's pictureTamara Merri

DIY Backyard Maine Wedding | Elsie & Mike

Updated: Mar 2, 2023

Meet Elsie:

bride bridal portrait holding flowers

Meet Mike:

groom portrait backyard maine wedding

Elsie & Mike grew up in the same town in Northern Maine all their lives- but never knew each other. In fact, Elsie and Mike's dad worked together; Elsie's father was a potato farmer while Mike's dad was a potato inspector. Elsie had met Mike's father several times over the years, but Mike was never there. Mike and his brothers knew of Elsie because of her spunky personality. His father would always tell of the time the farmer's daughter would come along and poke fun at him.


It wasn't until college they met. Mike was working at a restaurant where he waited on Elsie. Upon leaving, she wrote "you're cute" on her receipt. Once he saw her name from the credit card - he went home and told his dad he met the infamous Elsie. Word got back to Elsie it was THE Mike. The rest is history.

newlywed portrait DIY backyard wedding in Maine

They got married at Elsie's childhood home in St. Agatha, Maine. Their backyard wedding was absolutely gorgeous, with the backyard touching the lake.


They rented a large tent to fit the long wooden tables for all their guests which was covered by absolutely breathtaking greenery.


Much of the wedding decor was hand made. The theme here is DIY (do it yourself). Mike's dad built the dance floor from wood that morning, climbed up a ladder to hang all the twinkle lights in the tent, and also built a kids table out of pallets which was stocked with coloring books to keep them occupied. Aside from potatoes, Elsie's family also grows Christmas trees, so they gave mini trees to guests trees as a thank-you gift. They also made their own cocktail hour tables out of the family's potato barrels, as well as a beer tap self-serve station.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor
DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor
DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

If you're a fan of DIY wedding decor, check out Krissy & Mike's Mountaintop Inn Resort wedding in Vermont from fall of 2022.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony on lake

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine decor

Their early August wedding begin with rain showers, which made setting up their exclusively outdoor wedding a little challenging. However, the second we began the photo timeline, the rain stopped, and the rest of the day was absolutely perfect!! The cloud cover gave way to perfectly filtered light for their mid-afternoon ceremony.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine raining

DIY backyard wedding in Maine bride looking at dress

DIY backyard wedding in Maine bride getting ready

DIY backyard wedding in Maine first look with son

DIY backyard wedding in Maine first look with son

DIY backyard wedding in Maine first look with son

Elsie's first look with her son Ned made my hurt burst!!

DIY backyard wedding in Maine bride getting ready

DIY backyard wedding in Maine groosmen

DIY backyard wedding in Maine

They got married at the end of the family's dock, where Elsie's brother officiated the ceremony.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony
DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

DIY backyard wedding in Maine ceremony

This ceremony was filled with so much love. They had multiple guests give speeches during the ceremony to tell stories of how amazing Elsie and Mike are- both together and separate.


After the ceremony we ventured into Elsie's family's potato farm for their couples photos. The view was amazing!

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits on potato field

DIY backyard wedding in Maine family photo

Ned stole the spotlight during the family formals.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits

DIY backyard wedding in Maine wedding party portraits

DIY backyard wedding in Maine wedding portraits

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits

Elsie and her dad, big Ned, are cut from the same cloth!!

DIY backyard wedding in Maine portraits

A local dessert shop provided pies, cookies, and other desserts in lieu of wedding cake.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine desserts

DIY backyard wedding in Maine reception

Lobster was served for dinner - the perfect Maine wedding meal.

DIY backyard wedding in Maine reception lobster dinner

DIY backyard wedding in Maine reception dance floor

DIY backyard wedding in Maine sunset

DIY backyard wedding in Maine sunset
DIY backyard wedding in Maine sunset

DIY backyard wedding in Maine recepetion

DIY backyard wedding in Maine reception first dance

Cheers to love and happiness throughout the years!


xo, Tam



©ALP - Tamara Hanley 2023 -420_websize.jpg

I'm Tamara!

I'm a Massachusetts wedding & elopement photographer. I'm the voice behind this blog and the girl behind the camera. 

Let's connect!

  • Tamara Merri Photography instagram
  • Tamara Merri Photography facebook
  • Tamara Merri Photography Pinterest

For wedding tips/resources, real love stories, and exciting new offers sent right to your inbox, then subscribe!

Be the first to know it all.

TMA_7663.jpg

THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

Interested in having me photograph a special day for you? 

LET'S HANG OUT ON INSTAGRAM

@tamaramerriphotography
bottom of page